Marilyn takes center stage at Z-Two on Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The last time we highlighted the three-dimensional artwork of Annadale sculptor Denny Pizzini was back in December when we showcased the artist’s works, including those of military figures and famous celebs.

Some background: In the 1950s, the skilled craftsman spent four years stationed on a U.S. Strategic Air Command Base as the Crew Chief on a B-36 in the 70th Bomb Squadron. It was there that he gained firsthand experience painting popular “pin-up girls,” including Marilyn Monroe, onto B-36 bombers. Returning home to New York City with no aircraft noses to paint, Pizzini transformed his favorite pin-up girls into sculptures, creating a handful for friends and family.

Pizzini resumed his sculpture-making in the late 1990s with his signed edition “dennydolls” — sculptures cast in either resin, cold-cast bronze or real hot cast bronze and finished and painted completely by hand. Each piece is signed and dated by the artist.

Pizzini , who has lived on Staten Island for more than 43 years and has been retired from his catalog printing business for some 13 years, has created a bust of legendary football coach Sal Somma for New Dorp High School. Most of his works are cast in bronze, with a limited edition of 25. He’s also created a cold cast bronze of the late artist Robert Volpe.

We’ve now learned that one of Pizzini’s creations is on display at Z-Two, the dining spot located in the South Commons Mall on Veterans Road in Charleston. And here’s how it all happened.

Pizzini was visiting Z-One on Richmond Avenue in Bulls Head one morning and the manager, a Mr. Saran, recognized him, as he’d seen one of his sculptures. The two struck up a conversation and discussed the possibility of displaying Pizzini’s work at Z-Two, a soon-to-open dining spot on Staten Island’s South Shore.

Pizzini eventually was introduced to restaurant owner Steve Osman, who visited his home, viewed his work and decided on the sculptor’s new Marilyn Monroe piece, which is cased in white resin. However, Osman mentioned his preference for a bronze patina, and Pizzini complied, delivering the work of art in time for Fathers’ Day. The Marilyn sculpture is now on display in Z-Two’s main dining room.

As tradition dictates, members of the Iron Hills Civic Association will officially kick off the summer season Sunday at noon, during an outdoor party at the newly revitalized Richmond County Country Club, Dongan Hills — a splendid backdrop for the annual gathering of family members and friends. Dr. Mohammad Khalid, president of the organization, will host a formal ceremony as well. Co-chairs for the event are Dr. Valerie Venturina and Anthony Ferreri.

Staten Islanders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for service to community and for outstanding contributions to the organization will be recognized during the Annual Summer Meeting and Picnic.

This year’s honorees are: Gina Biancardi, founder and president of Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Foundation on Grymes Hill, Inspector John M. Denespolis, former commanding officer of the 120 Police Precinct and current special project coordinator of the Organized Crime Control Division (O.C.C.D.), Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore), who is vacating his post after a number of years of distinguished service to our state and the borough of Staten Island, and the Hon. Dennis M. Walcott, former deputy mayor of education and current chancellor of the city Department of Education.

In addition to her role as founder and president of Casa Belvedere, Ms. Biancardi is co-founder and vice president of marketing and public relations for The CollegeBound Network, a multimedia student recruitment company. She also launched ReachStudentsOnline.org, which seeks to educate colleges and universities, career schools, Fortune 1000 companies, military branches, and educational companies on the benefits, protocol, and efficiencies of online student recruitment. Ms. Biancardi also is co-founder of FIERI, a national, networking organization for young Italian Americans. She currently serves as its alumni coordinator and chairs its advisory committee. She is a member of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF); The Columbus Citizens Foundation and the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW).

Ms. Biancardi received the “Premio Salernitana Illustri Nel Mondo” award from the Salerno Region’s President, Edmondo Cerielli. In recognition of her tireless efforts and extraordinary passion for Casa Belvedere, she also was a proud honoree at NOIAW’s 2011 “Three Wise Women” Epiphany Celebration and recently received the “Ambasciatore Award” from The Italian-American Museum. On Dec. 10, 2011, she was admitted as Dama to the Order of Merit of Savoy. Ms. Biancardi is the mother of three daughters.

Presently inspector and special projects coordinator in the city organized crime control division and former commanding officer of the 120th Police Precinct, Mr. Denesopolis also served as commanding officer of Police Service Area 1 and Police Service Area 9.

He previously was assigned to the Organized Crime Control Bureau’s Narcotics Division as both a lieutenant and sergeant. There he was instrumental in organizing, implementing and overseeing the Staten Island Narcotics Initiative. His other assignments have allowed him to serve various Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island communities. These included Community Policing Sergeant, Field Training of recruit officers, Patrol Supervisor and precinct patrol.

Over his short tenure as the South Shore’s representative in Albany, Assemblyman Lou Tobacco has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all residents, while fighting to reduce the burden state government places on local families and businesses. He’s fought to provide the state education funding necessary to provide teachers and students with the tools they need and has worked extensively with children and families living with developmental disabilities. Tobacco hosted the first ever Autism Awareness Forum on Staten Island.

The assemblyman has taken his “Tobacco Against Tobacco” campaign to schools across Staten Island, urging students and their family members to kick the habit or never start smoking. Working with the Staten Island chapter of the American Cancer Society and the Richmond County Medical Society, he is behind Staten Island’s Smoke-Free parks campaign and is a major ally in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s campaign to lower smoking rates throughout the city.

Assemblyman Tobacco is the Ranking Minority Member of the Social Services Committee and serves on the Transportation, Health, Higher Education, Veterans’ Affairs and Codes committees. He also is the vice chair of the Assembly Minority Sex Offender Watch Task Force and is a member of the MTA Capital Program Review Board. He resides in Tottenville with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children.

Mr. Walcott, chancellor of the city Department of Education, oversees a system of more than 1,700 schools. He is commited to cultivating teacher talent, expanding school choices for families so that students attend schools that best meet their individual needs, creating strong partnerships with parents and preparing students to graduate from high school and succeed in college and careers. Prior to his appointment as chancellor, Mr. Walcott was Mayor Bloomberg’s Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development. He is a lifelong resident of Queens.

Brian J. Laline, editor of the Advance will be a special guest at Sunday’s summer season kick-off.